MLBTR Chat with Jeff Todd 10-8-15

I have never hosted a chat before. Steve Adams is coaching me on hosting a chat. If anything goes wrong, we'll all blame Steve Adams.

08/10/2015 20:18

Jeff Todd

Mike S.

Odds on Weiters wearing a Braves uniform on opening day 2016.

I'd say they aren't great, but I can see the rationale. Pair a lefty bat with Bethancourt, ease his transition. They have shown an inclination to take on some risk, and he is a guy who could deliver some value.

08/10/2015 20:20

Jeff Todd

Michael

What's up?

Nothing much, just chatting. What is up with you?

Do I have to answer every question? No? Okay ...

08/10/2015 20:20

Jeff Todd

Stephen

Do you expect the Yankees to go after David Price?

They have to be involved to a certain point, sure, but that isn't the direction things have been headed. I expect Cashman to look to take advantage of a full mid-tier market to build out the staff. But you can obviously never count them out.

08/10/2015 20:21

Jeff Todd

Austin L

Who are the front runners to land the Padres manager position?

No idea, and I haven't seen any reports really giving much away. Preller indicated that the search is going to be wide-ranging, so in theory they could go in just about any direction.

08/10/2015 20:22

Jeff Todd

Austin L

How short is AJ Preller's leash in San Diego? What does he need to do to keep his job in 2017?

That is a great question, and it's not clear. Ownership came out big time in his corner before and after the acquisition spree. I think they knew it could blow up and had a longer-term plan in mind also. Barring a true disaster in 2016, I think he'll get another year at least.

08/10/2015 20:24

Jeff Todd

Billy Goat

Thoughts on Matt Weiters and Ian Desmond signing with the White Sox?

Ha, someone just asked "what are top White Sox needs and how can they address them"? And the first thought that came to my head was: Desmond at SS, Wieters at C. I can see the merit to both and would expect Chicago to be in the market. Could offer some nice value to the club.

08/10/2015 20:25

Jeff Todd

Chris

I know the Nationals have Michael Taylor, but it's hard to live with a 70 wRC+ no matter the defense. Do you think they will either consider bringing back Span or go after a midrange guy like Dexter Fowler?

I expect they will commit to Taylor and pair him with a somewhat lesser veteran who hits from the left side and can also spell Werth. Taylor showed a lot in his first year, and there's no reason he's stuck with that batting line. Even if he's a slightly below average hitter, he has game-changing speed and rated extremely well in the field.

I could see Span coming back IF a lot of things break right ... could depend whether they roll the dice on a qualifying offer.

08/10/2015 20:27

Jeff Todd

Zak

who'll get a bigger contract; Greinke or Price?

Price, and it won't be close. Age is the key difference there.

08/10/2015 20:28

Jeff Todd

Bob the Builder

Best name in baseball?

Hipalito Pichardo (my old fav)

08/10/2015 20:28

Jeff Todd

Brandon

If Jason Heyward gets a little to expensive for the St. Louis Cardinals, can you see them try to sign Yoenis Cespedes?

He doesn't seem like their kind of player, honestly, and I don't think they'll put out a team-record contract for him. Heyward? Maybe. They certainly have had a chance to see how they feel about him.

08/10/2015 20:29

Jeff Todd

Sean

Will chats be happening twice a week now, one hosted by Steve and the other hosted by you, or is this a one time thing?

Twice a week, at least, yes.

08/10/2015 20:30

Jeff Todd

Baltimore Chop

Davis stays in Baltimore for what contract?

He's a tough guy to figure on a total guarantee, but I don't see Baltimore coming close. Even if he'd take a slight discount, it would be a surprise if he took something dramatically less to stay.

I am kind of bullish on the Davis market, personally, and I don't think the O's will make a serious play. But we'll see!

08/10/2015 20:31

Jeff Todd

Brandon Rice

Thank you for taking the time to do this!

Thank you for taking the time to thank me. Seriously.

08/10/2015 20:31

Jeff Todd

Brandon

Can you see the Cardinals extending Trevor Rosenthal this Offseason?

Yes, but an arb-only extension (like last year's Lance Lynn deal) seems more likely to me than a Kimbrel-type contract.

08/10/2015 20:32

Jeff Todd

Anonymous

Does Wieters get a qualifying offer this year?

I think they should, yeah. Odds of him taking it are very, very low.

08/10/2015 20:33

Jeff Todd

Jerry Dipoto

After resigning Iwakuma, what's my next move?

I don't know, but I am really interested to find out. I do think that Iwakuma will be back, and that will probably be at a nice price for Seattle.

First order of biz is probably deciding what to do with Logan Morrison ($4.1MM arb projection) and Mark Trumbo ($9.1MM). I could see LoMo being non-tendered and Trumbo being shopped.

08/10/2015 20:35

Jeff Todd

Harold

Who are some realistic closer option on the trade market that the Tigers could make a run at?

There aren't really any lights-out closers in free agency this year, so they'd have to look at the trade market for that kind of guy. (I hear Jonathan Papelbon might be available.)

What they could do, and arguably should do, is look to add a few good arms in free agency and not worry too much about who exactly has the 9th. But that is easier said than done, even in this era of statistical understanding.

08/10/2015 20:37

Jeff Todd

LETS GO METS!!!!!

Will 7 150 for the Mets to get Cespedes

Maybe. I think that would be competitive. Personally, though, I don't see the rationale for Sandy and co. to give him that contract and I don't think he will. Just not the best fit there long-term, in my view.

08/10/2015 20:38

Jeff Todd

Robin

speaking of White Sox, do they pick up the 10million option on Alexi?

If I'm Rick Hahn, I'm talking with Alexei right now about a restructured deal. Maybe a lower guarantee with a vesting option year or something. If the price doesn't come down, I'm thinking you decline the option and look for another possibility in FA/trade.

08/10/2015 20:39

Jeff Todd

Jon

Am I the only one confused by the Eddy Martinez-Giants situation. It's very rare when a GM says there is a deal and then there isn't. What happened?

That is quite rare, it's true. I have no idea what happened -- you can see some of what Kiley McDaniel, Keith Law, and Jesse Sanchez have written for some chatter on the topic -- but it was very surprising.

08/10/2015 20:40

Jeff Todd

bitter O's fan

What kind of Contract is Boras looking to get for Chris Davis? Prince Fielder Puljols type contracts?

Ooh, "what will Boras ask for" is a fun game, because it will be high. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he starts out talking about a deal worth north of $200MM.

Doesn't mean I think he'll get that, but it'll be a fun ride, no doubt.

08/10/2015 20:41

Jeff Todd

Zak

more likely to get moved this offseason; Chapman or Strasburg?

Chapman. I don't think the Nats will move Stras, who is still rather affordable at $10.5MM and who means too much to the franchise. I don't think they'd get the value back out of him that they'd need.

As for Chapman, though, it's kind of hard to see the reasoning behind not moving him, though I guess you could always wait for the summer.

08/10/2015 20:43

Jeff Todd

Ryan

Do Dipoto trade the King?

I'd be shocked.

08/10/2015 20:44

Jeff Todd

Bpb

Do you agree that the Giants are the quickest fix this offseason?

There's a lot to like there, sure, but can you reliably count on guys like Duffy, Panik, and Crawford to put up those kinds of years again? Pagan is a concern in center and the staff needs multiple upgrades.

I mean, we all know they are going to win the World Series (even year), but doing it won't be quick or straightforward.

08/10/2015 20:45

Jeff Todd

Bruce

Any big names the braves get for their bullpen? Do they stick with Vizcaino as the closer?

I expect them to add mid-level guys as they did last year. They'll be able to draw talent by offering the opportunity to work the late innings. They could stick with Vizcaino there, sure, or they could add a closer type. The arb cost savings would pay for the signing.

08/10/2015 20:46

Jeff Todd

Bubba

Is Matt Harvey on the trade market?

I could imagine the Mets having more willingness to consider a Harvey deal than they might have otherwise, but that doesn't mean they are going to sell him for anything less than a very high price. Look at Alderson's trade history -- he has extracted a lot of value for premium guys.

08/10/2015 20:48

Jeff Todd

Ricky

Thank you for saving this chat Jeff Steve was horrible

Totally.

08/10/2015 20:48

Jeff Todd

Anonymous

Does anyone accept a QO this year?

I'm going to guess no, but ask me again when we know who gets offered. I think we'll see it eventually, though it'll be a unique case.

08/10/2015 20:49

Jeff Todd

Anonymous

Are you watching the TOR/TEX game?

Gotta have the game on in the background, yeah.

08/10/2015 20:50

Jeff Todd

Troy

If you were the Cardinals would you non-tender Brandon Moss?

No. Both because wow, that would be a tough pill to swallow, and more importantly b/c they already assessed and decided he was worth the money. A couple months doesn't change that.

08/10/2015 20:51

Jeff Todd

BTW, re Moss, he had a better (.753 OPS) run with St. Louis. And he's not projected to get a huge arb raise.

08/10/2015 20:52

Jeff Todd

Halos!

you think the Angels can get Cespedes?

Sure they can. Will only take money. Lots of money. And a willingness to spend it.

These are things that Arte Moreno has.

08/10/2015 20:53

Jeff Todd

Michael

Cards/Cubs. Who you got!

I'm taking the Cubs, just because they are fun as heck to watch.

08/10/2015 20:54

Jeff Todd

Ricky

Can I answer a few questions??

I guess, but that might be difficult logistically.

08/10/2015 20:54

Jeff Todd

Eric

Is Chris Carter going to be extended?

Doubt it.

08/10/2015 20:55

Jeff Todd

Eric

Rangers need to get Ryan Howard. Do you agree?

Eric really wants me to answer a Ryan Howard question. This one would send him to pretty much the single least logical AL destination in baseball.

My guess: Howard will end up getting cut loose at some point this winter. Don't see anyone taking on any of the contract at this point.

08/10/2015 20:56

Jeff Todd

Phil

What's your favorite ballpark?

I grew up going to Camden Yards, so I'll take it for the personal nostalgia.

I am kind of a baseball history guy, though, so I love going to the old ones.

08/10/2015 20:57

Jeff Todd

Galvan

Which TOR starter do you see the Cubs signing this offseason? Price, Zimmerman, Greinke?

I have always seen them being on Zimmermann. He's the kind of pitcher they seem to love and would round out an excellent 1-2-3 without breaking the bank.

08/10/2015 20:58

Jeff Todd

Homey

Is Mike RIzzo the real problem in Washington?

He has some things to answer to, but this is an easy one: NO.

Review Rizzo's draft and trade history. It's pretty impressive.

08/10/2015 20:59

Jeff Todd

Reggie

How short of a leash will Robin Ventura be on this year?

How short of a leash can one be on? About that short.

08/10/2015 21:00

Jeff Todd

Kaleb Cowart

Do you think I've made the necessary improvements to take over third next year?

I don't see them rolling the dice on that given the overall contract situation they have. Solving third will be an interesting challenge for LAA.

08/10/2015 21:02

Jeff Todd

pete

what kind of money do you think Scott Kazmir will get?

Very tough guy to predict. We saw Brandon McCarthy get four years and 48 mil, so there's money for high-performing injury risks, but I guess it would be surprising if Kaz got that fourth year (or that much guaranteed).

08/10/2015 21:03

Jeff Todd

BJSurhoffsgrimace

Will the orioles actually sign a front of the rotation starter?

I doubt it.

08/10/2015 21:03

Jeff Todd

pete

you just won't answer my questions,
oh well

I hadn't realized. Seriously, this is a whirlwind.

08/10/2015 21:04

Jeff Todd

Ricky

Love the pod casts by the way. I listen to them on my way work

Thanks!

08/10/2015 21:04

Jeff Todd

Ryan

Will Colby Rasmus get offered a QO

Nah.

08/10/2015 21:04

Jeff Todd

Okay all, going to try a quick lightning round and then we'll have to wrap this up.

08/10/2015 21:05

Jeff Todd

Patrick

Where might Hanley end up?

Red Sox, probably.

08/10/2015 21:05

Jeff Todd

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